Museum d'Orsay

travel  wonder in France

Why the
Museum d'Orsay
is special

The Museum d'Orsay in Paris has become one of the world's greatest and most popular museums in just a couple of decades because of its stunning art collection.

Tips & insights on

Museum d'Orsay

It focuses on a specific period: from 1848 to 1914.

The Museum d'Orsay is most celebrated for its impressionist and post-impressionist artwork.

Its remarkable collection includes works by Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Van Gogh, among others.

Some of the exhibited paintings in the Museum d'Orsay have been so widely published in books and other media that even an art neophyte would likely recognize them.

The Museum d'Orsay building began life in 1900 as the Gare d'Orsay ("train station of Orsay"). In 1939 it closed. In the late 1970s it was slated for demolition to make room for a large hotel. Public pressure stifled those plans. In 1986, after being converted, the terminus became the Museum d'Orsay.

The main-hall exhibition space (see photo) preserves the train station layout. And, the sky-light roof enhances the artwork by bathing it with diffused daylight.

View my other gold,

silver & bronze medal

winners in France

My French

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

French cuisine

I hope your France travel dreams come true - and that 

my Museum d'Orsay page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications